Atheletes are just like us. Even a pro like Serena Williams can make mistakes that we can learn from. During the second round at the Austrialian Open, Ms. Williams accidently hits her mouth with her racket, causing her lip to be injured and tooth to chip! According to the news, she'svery happy to not lose the tooth!
For video of the racket attack, click here.
So what can us regular folks learn from this? Beyond wearing a helmet and other protective gear when participating in high impact sports, remember to protect your choppers with a mouthguard. In particular, have a customized mouthguard that will fit perfectly to your upper teeth and will not dislodge as compared to generic mouthguards. These 'guards protect you from broken teeth and jaws, cutting your lips and bruising your cheeks, and even from concussions and neck injuries.
If you should experience an injury to your mouth/gums/lips/jaw, make sure you get medical attention ASAP. If you break or lose a tooth (often times teeth change color when they've been traumatized), contact your dentist immediately. Time is of the essence when it comes to teeth. The sooner that you seek dental care, the better your chances are to getting your tooth/teeth fixed.
So the next time you're in the dental chair, tell your dentist about your new activities and what you've been unto. Ask him/her for great tips on how you can protect your mouth, head, and neck while having fun.
Best,
Dr. Lynda Tran
